Government to start Ken-Betwa river interlinking by December

NEW DELHI: The government is confident of starting the ambitious project of interlinking of rivers by December with the Ken-Betwa link after getting clearance from both the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments and the locals living in the Panna National Park agreeing to move out after getting adequate compensation.

Sources in the water resources ministry said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Ken-Betwa stretch has been prepared and work is likely to begin by December. The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh and the Akhilesh Yadav regime in UP have sorted out issues related to the project.

“A part of the Panna National Park would be affected by this project but this area is inhabited by people and not frequented by animals. The locals living in this area have happily given their consent to move out after they were paid adequate compensation.

These people were living without any roads and other facilities as their houses were located within the national park,” sources said.

The 31st project of interlinking of rivers was added during Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal in 2014 where he signed an agreement with the neighbouring country to link Sharda river water with Yamuna. This is aimed at ending the water woes of Delhi.

The Water Resources Ministry is confident of sorting out roadblocks in implementing the Tapi-Narmada link that would benefit Gujarat. Uma Bharti, who heads the ministry, may hold talks with Maharashtra unit of Congress on the issue. Experts have underlined that sentiments being attached by some Maharashtrians to diversion of Tapi river are misplaced as no water from it is used for irrigation and is allowed to flow into the sea.

During interlinking of rivers, the government is keeping the advice of experts in mind and matching the sand form, flora and fauna and aquatic life before going ahead.

While dealing with Gangawhere the main challenge is pollution and slow speed of the river in some parts due to pollution and lack of water, the government is working on three fronts— solid waste management, treatment of sewage and restoring river bio-diversity.

Making arrangements to prevent treated water from industries and tanneries from flowing into the river is also being looked into.